Which accommodation choice is right for you?

MOD has released more information about FAM and how it will affect you. If you have any comments, questions or concerns about FAM (especially if you are already at or due to be posted to the Aldershot pilot site), please get in touch with the AFF Housing Specialist Cat Calder on housing@aff.org.uk

From September, the new pilot for the Future
Accommodation Model (FAM) will be rolled out to three military bases, starting
with HMNB Clyde, then Aldershot Garrison in January 2020, and RAF Wittering in
May 2020.

If you are happy in your current Single Living
Accommodation (SLA) or Service Family Accommodation (SFA) at Aldershot Garrison,
don’t worry, you don’t need to take any action.

However, if you’d like to consider renting or buying
a home in the local area with support from the MOD, FAM could enable you to do
this. You will, however, have to pay for removals and you won’t be able to
claim Disturbance Expense. So, what are your next steps?

First, you must be eligible for FAM. This means
you:

need to be in Regular or full-time Reserve Service
(full commitment);

are already based at Aldershot Garrison with 12
months or more left on your posting, or have an assignment there of 12 months
or more during the pilot;

have four or more years of service.

There’s lots of information to help make the
accommodation choice that’s right for you. Visit GOV.UK and search ‘Future
Accommodation Model’ to watch the FAM videos and read more about your options.
You can also access Discover My Benefits (search ‘Discover my Benefits’ on
GOV.UK). This
will show you how much you will have to pay towards your rent. Don’t forget to
add in council tax, water rates and gas and electricity costs.

If you decide you want to change your current accommodation and you want
to rent, then you will need to complete an Accommodation Preference Form (APF)
in JPA from 31 January 2020.

If you want to buy a house, then you do not fill out the APF, instead you’ll
need to take your legal paperwork to your Unit HR. Don’t forget you will need
to cover your removal costs and will not get Disturbance Expense.

If you choose to stay in your current SLA or SFA, then you don’t need to
do anything.

If you
are assigned to Aldershot Garrison with a report for duty date before 31
January 2020, then you will be allocated accommodation in line with current
policy. You will have the option to make a different choice once FAM goes live,
along with everyone else on that pilot site.

If
you’re assigned with a report for duty date on or after 31 January 2020, then
you will need to make your choice about what kind of accommodation you want to
receive. You will be able to submit your APF from 1 November 2019, which means you
will be able to plan and move into your new accommodation before your start
date.